Family fights to keep mother in her own home

A family is torn with a decision of health care versus housing in New Hanover County.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A family is torn with a decision of health care versus housing in New Hanover County.

Bertha Bordeaux has lived at AHEPA Apartments for the last six years, but the last six months of her rehabilitation could mean the end of her time in a place she now calls home.

She suffered a stroke last year, but she's recovering better than expected – just ask her optimistic daughter Iris Jackson.

"I never had that feeling that should wouldn't come home," Jackson said. "She's just that strong of a person."

But there's a chance Bordeaux won't be going home to her apartment. The subsidized housing complex has a stipulation to its leases that states residents can be evicted if they're away from their homes for a reasonable amount of time. In this case, that's six months.

The rent for Bordeaux's time away is all paid up, according to Jackson.

"They just refuse to take February's rent," she said.

Stephanie Calderon, Vice President of AHEPA Management Company, explained Monday that the reason subsidy is the reason for the time frame. She said the money that's meant for housing needs to be spent on someone actually living in the apartment.

As of this report, there are no plans to evict Bordeaux. Calderon added that she could not comment on any potential or future eviction plans.

Jackson said she's stuck in a difficult spot because she can't return her mother to her apartment because Bordeaux will lose her coverage for rehabilitation.

"She either loses her home or I do not get her the help that she needs," said Jackson.